'THIS IS A BEACON OF HOPE AND POSSIBILITIES'

THIS YEAR'S BIG WINNERS AT THE 95TH ACADEMY AWARDS 2023 CELEBRATE THEIR LONG-AWAITED MOMENTS OF GLORY

- RHONA MERCER

Forget on-stage stumbles, the wrong winner being called out, or that shocking slap – this year’s Oscars were all about the career comeback. 

Incredibly, all four major acting categories were won by established stars who, until this year, hadn’t received a single Academy Award nomination between them – despite enjoying long and often illustrious careers.

After years of hard graft in the film industry, Hollywood veterans Michelle Yeoh, Brendan Fraser, Jamie Lee Curtis and Ke Huy Quan scooped the top gongs, and the emotion was palpable.

“To all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that… dream big and dreams do come true,” said Best Actress Michelle, star of the multi-award winning Everything Everywhere All At Once.

She went on to say, “And ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you are ever past your prime… never give up.”

Best Actor Brendan Fraser, meanwhile, acknowledged nearly two decades spent in the Hollywood wilderness, thanking The Whale director Darren Aronofsky for throwing him a “creative lifeline”.

This year’s ceremony, hosted by US chat show legend Jimmy Kimmel, proved more than ever that dreams really can come true – regardless of who you are and where you come from. And in an industry that is notorious for overlooking people of a certain age, it was refreshing to see the Academy reward stars who have been plugging away at their film careers for decades.